Wet, windy and wild week-end

On saturday we were going to the local gardens to see the spectacular autumn colours but the weather was too wet and windy. So we decided to visit a local shopping mall but that proved to be quite an experience as Avril's umbrella blew inside out and joined many others in the bin. We got soaked and took refuge in Starbucks, the coffee and cakes being the only thing we bought during our expedition! The evening weather was just as bad and we were going to a friends for lunch. Before we even got to the bottom of the hill to get the transport we were soaked to the skin and later discovered that Japan had been hit by a typhoon with 4 inches of rain in an hour! However we had a lovely evening, meeting new friends so it was worth it.

Sunday we went to the Hillsong church in Tokyo which was very lively, like we are used to back home. Then in the afternoon we went to the Youth church in Yokohama which was wild and wacky and made our home church look very tame. They all came dressed up as villains or heroes which was hysterical. Could not get enough pictures. The praise was great and to see all these young people praising God was joy to behold. A young girl talked about her hero Jesus and it was good to see how well they all listened.

Sunday lunch was at an Indian restaurant and in the evening we went to chinatown to a Chinese restaurant and met Japanese friends who were at Jonathan and Sam s wedding ten years ago. We have done so much walking, especially up and down steps to the train and really we are glad, because if we hadn't I don't think we would fit into our clothes with all this wonderful food.

With Andy in Japan

So here we are in Japan sharing Andy's life and staying in the Green House (which will developed for youth ministry) which we have heard a lot about. It is lovely to see Yokohama where Andy lives, visit his apartment and enjoy the beautiful city. Also we are enjoying meeting friends old and new. Today we are in the Tokyo office and have met Hisako and Summer who help with Alpha there.

Last night we had a fantastic seafood meal whilst watching the lights and night-life of Yokohama. Now we are off to Lunch in Tokyo - sushi? We will have to wait and see.

Chilling in Singapore and Macau

We had a great time chilling in the heat of Singapore with our friends Andrew & Janis. Andy also arrived to add to the fun, especially in the pool with their children. We ate wonderful Chinese food each day, enjoyed shopping and a memorable walk around the Reservoir where we first walked nearly 40 years ago when we were expecting Andy!! Memories!

Church on Sunday morning was great with a real sense of worship and the Lord's presence. Avril received some faith-filled prayer for healing and will continue to do so everywhere and anywhere we go!!

Yesterday we left Singapore for Macau via Hong Kong! Once we landed in HK we needed to get a train and bus to the boat which took us to Macau. So now we are with our good friends Tim and Linda. It is 10 years since we were in Macau and it is changing with many more casinos here now.

We had the opportunity to pray with Tim who has Hepatitis C and is receiving pretty awful treatment in as much as it has given him bad side effects. When we attended a meeting in Bagley we picked up a prayer cloth. Today we laid it on Tim's liver and believe God to heal him. We will wait to see what God does.

Tomorrow we are off again - to Japan this time to catch up with Andy and enjoy sharing his life and friends there. It sounds like we will be running with (or after) him as he has got quite a schedule for us but we too have friends to visit there so it should be a great time.

Now I have sussed this blog thing out our next posting will be from Japan and you can find out what we are doing. Hopefully will be able to put some photos on soon too!!